Commonwealth of Pennsylvania STOP Violence Against Women ...

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program

FFY 2022-2025 Implementation Plan

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Office of Victims’ Services (OVS)

3101 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2

II. NEEDS AND CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................ 3

III. DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING PROCESS .............................................................................................. 14

IV. DOCUMENTATION FROM PROSECUTION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURT, AND VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 21

V. PLAN FOR THE FOUR-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD ............................................................... 22

A. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................... 22 B. STATUTORY PRIORITY AREAS .......................................................................................................................... 25 C. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED VICTIMS ..................................................................................... 30 D. GRANT-MAKING STRATEGY .............................................................................................................................. 33

VI. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................ 37

APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C APPENDIX D APPENDIX E APPENDIX F

I. Introduction

A. The 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan was approved by the Statewide Victims’ Services Advisory Committee on May 11,2021. A copy was also presented to the Commission in June 2021 as an informational item.

B. The time period covered by the plan. (28 C.F.R. 90.12(a)) (REQUIRED)

This four-year Plan outlines goals, objectives, and funding priorities of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to support the next competitive VAWA STOP funding cycle from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.

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https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/90.12

II. Needs and Context

A. Demographic information regarding the population of the State derived from the most recent available United States Census Bureau data including population data on race, ethnicity, age, disability, and limited English proficiency. (28 C.F.R. 90.12(g)(1)) (REQUIRED)

Geography

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the fifth largest state in the United States, with 12.8 million residents living across a land area of nearly 45,000 square miles.1 Home to two major metropolitan areas (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania’s average population density is 283.9 per square mile. Although Pennsylvania does not qualify as a “rural” state under the Office on Violence Against Women’s guidelines, more than a quarter of Pennsylvanians – 3.4 million people – reside in one of Pennsylvania’s 48 rural counties.2 The relatively large share of rural demographics in Pennsylvania, coupled with the unique challenges faced by victims living in rural areas of the State, significantly impacts the implementation of the Services * Training * Officers * Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. Rural communities face challenges ranging from isolation, poverty and limited economic opportunities, lack of access to public and/or private transportation, to part-time or no municipal law enforcement.

In addition, many rural communities in Pennsylvania continue to experience a “crisis of connectivity,” resulting from limited internet access and unreliable cell phone service.3 A 2019 report published by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania found that zero counties in the Commonwealth received “broadband” connectivity, as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and that connectivity speeds were substantially slower in rural counties than in their urban counterparts.4 This limited connectivity further isolates rural victims and hampers everything from filing jobless claims to participating in virtual learning platforms to accessing telemedicine and other supports.

Beyond being a largely rural state, Pennsylvania borders six neighboring states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. STOP Implementation Planning Committee members as well as Focus Group participants noted a myriad of challenges faced by STOP-funded counties located along any one of these six borders, since investigations of crime often cover multiple jurisdictions and are complicated further when either offenders or victims move across state lines. One Focus Group member whose response area borders another state also indicated that law enforcement in the neighboring state often challenge weapons relinquishment orders issued from Pennsylvania pursuant to Act 79 of 2018.

Population

According to the 2019 population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a population of 12,801,989. A detailed breakdown of population characteristics is available in Figure 1, below.

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Figure 1. Population Characteristics – Pennsylvania (2019)5

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS 2019 ESTIMATE Sex and Age6 Female 51.0% Male 49.0% Under 5 years 5.5% Persons under 18 years 20.6% 20 to 25 years 6.2% 25 to 34 years 13.3% 35 to 44 years 11.9% 45 to 54 years 12.5% 55 to 59 years 7.0% 60 to 64 years 7.1% 65 to 74 years 10.6% 75 to 84 years 5.5% 85 years and over 2.5% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone 81.6% Black or African American alone 12.0% American Indian and Alaska Native 0.4% Asian 3.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.1% Two or more races 2.1% Hispanic or Latino 7.8% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 75.7% Disability With a disability, under age 65 years 9.8% Educational Attainment High school graduate or higher 90.5% Bachelor’s degree or higher 31.4% Language Spoken at Home Language other than English 11.4% Socioeconomic Indicators Median Household Income $61,744 Per capita income in past 12 months $34,352 Persons in poverty 12.0%

Pennsylvania’s population growth has been fairly stagnant compared with similarly populous states and national trends, increasing by just 0.8% over the past decade (compared with 6.3%

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nationwide).7 Figure 2 below shows population growth in Pennsylvania counties from 2010 to 2018 compared with the statewide average.

Figure 2. Population Growth in Pennsylvania Counties (2010-2018)

Immigrant Populations

According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 7.2% of Pennsylvania residents (922,585) were born in a foreign country, up from 4.1% in 2000.8 India (10%), Dominican Republic (9%), China (7%), Mexico (6%), and Vietnam (3%) were the top countries of origin for immigrants in Pennsylvania.9 More than half (53.8%) of Pennsylvania’s immigrants were naturalized citizens as of 2018.10 An estimated 194,647 people in Pennsylvania, including nearly 85,000 U.S. citizens, lived with at least one undocumented family member between 2010-2014.11 Pennsylvania is also home to nearly

5,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as of March 2020.

During the discussion of underserved populations, the STOP Implementation Planning Committee and other stakeholders consistently raised up the need to increase awareness of immigrant communities in Pennsylvania, including understanding the unique barriers faced by this population (e.g., language access, fear of deportation, cultural barriers, etc.). Objective 3.2 (page 23) proposes using STOP funds to provide training to address these issues, with a focus on identifying strategies to effectively provide services and supports.

Language Access

Overcoming language barriers and promoting language access policies and protocols was identified as a top priority by Pennsylvania’s STOP Planning Committee. As shown previously in Figure 1, an estimated 11.4% of the population over the age of five speak a

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language other than English at home. Other than English, the most common language spoken at home is Spanish, representing 4.7% of the population or 564,000 people.12 The STOP Committee emphasized the importance of collecting and disseminating best practices for promoting language access statewide using a clearinghouse approach. In addition, the Committee recommended continued use of STOP dollars (and other funding sources) to invest in resources like translators/interpreters, translating documents and forms into multiple languages, updating the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) Mobile App and other technologies to be bilingual and multilingual capable, and other initiatives.

Aging Population

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), one in four Pennsylvanians is over 60 years old, and the State’s older adult population is expected to reach 4 million – or nearly one-third of the total population – over the next decade.13 Nationally, Pennsylvania ranks 4th highest for the number of residents aged 50 years or older.14

Figure 3. Percent of Population Aged 65+ by Pennsylvania County (2018)

In recent years, PDA has reported an increase in the number of substantiated reports of the need for older protective services. PCCD/OVS, PDA’s Consumer Protection Division and Protective Services Office, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) have collaborated to identify opportunities to bring victim services and adult protective services to support elder victims. PCCD encourages Adult Protective Service staff to participate on local STOP Collaborative Teams to ensure elder victims of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking receive services that promote victim safety, preserve elders’ independence, and promote justice through criminal and civil justice systems.

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In addition to state level coordination and efforts through STOP, in 2019, PCCD awarded a $600,000 grant to PDA’s Protective Services Office to enhance the delivery of protective services for older adults through technology, including creating new online tools to increase access to the public for reporting elder abuse, developing an electronic data dashboard to assist investigative staff to support the needs of victims, and enhancing functionality of the statewide Elder Abuse Reporting Hotline (1-800-490-8505).15

During the 2022-2025 planning cycle, STOP Committee members discussed a need to specifically address sexual violence occurring within facilities serving older Pennsylvanians. The Committee recommended inclusion of Objective 3.4 within Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Plan, which seeks to invest in practices that address victimization among vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on addressing sexual violence within facilities like nursing homes, personal care homes, residential facilities, group homes, etc.

LGBTQ+ Populations

According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 4.1% of Pennsylvanians identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.16 STOP Field Survey respondents, STOP Focus Groups, and STOP Committee members consistently identified members of the LGBTQ+ communities as underserved populations, especially transgender victims. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2020 was the worst year on record for violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people in nearly a decade, with Black trans women particularly at risk for experiencing violence.17

Recognizing the importance of addressing the intersections of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and hate crimes experienced by members of the LGBTQ+ communities, Pennsylvania has previously used STOP funding to support projects focused on supporting LGBTQ victims; for example, Berks and Bucks Counties have engaged in cross-training and service referrals with community-based LGBTQ programs in their counties. At the state level, an Executive Order signed in August 2018 established the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs to advise the governor and state agencies regarding policies, programs, and legislation that impact LGBTQ communities and to serve as an intermediary between LGBTQ communities and state government.18 PCCD reaffirms its commitment to supporting programs and practices that are culturally responsive and meet the needs of LGBTQ+ victims using STOP funds in its FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan.

Political Structure

Pennsylvania is one of four states designated as a “commonwealth,” a more decentralized form of government in which most policy and financial decisions are made at the county level. There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania with 60 judicial districts, each of which has its own court system, judges, magistrates, and prosecutor’s office. Law enforcement in Pennsylvania is comprised of more than 1,180 municipal police departments ranging from small part-time agencies to large metropolitan departments like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. When a local municipality is unable to provide full-time police coverage, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) provides part-time or full-time coverage. According to data from PSP, of

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https://www.governor.pa.gov/about/pennsylvania-commission-lgbtq-affairs/

https://www.governor.pa.gov/about/pennsylvania-commission-lgbtq-affairs/

the 2,561 municipalities in Pennsylvania, 1,287 have no local police force, making PSP responsible for all criminal, traffic, and public safety proceedings within those jurisdictions. The vast majority of these municipalities are located in rural parts of the Commonwealth. This dual nature of law enforcement in the Commonwealth – hyperlocal in some areas, state-managed in others – has tremendous implications for the response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking statewide, including use of the evidence-based LAP model.

Pennsylvania’s fragmented political structure makes it challenging to ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and practices supporting the needs of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking victims across the state. To remedy this challenge in STOP-funded counties, PCCD mandates that projects create and maintain a formal collaboration among victim services, law enforcement, courts, and prosecution as part of county-based “STOP Coordinating Teams.” These teams work to develop and implement unified and consistent policies and procedures for responding to, investigating, and prosecuting domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence in their service areas. Importantly, consultation with victim services is woven throughout the STOP Coordinating Team process.

Cross-Cutting Priorities and Trends

COVID-19 Crisis

Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Planning timeline overlapped with the most significant public health and economic crises in nearly a century. As of April 28, 2021, more than 26,120 Pennsylvanians have died from the coronavirus.19 Between March 2020 and March 2021, more than 2.1 million initial unemployment claims were filed in the wake of the COVID-19 recession,20 and the Commonwealth’s unemployment rates hit historic highs.21 Analysis suggests that Pennsylvania was one of the hardest hit states in the country: 12 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties were in the top 20% nationally for both the increase in their unemployment rates from the prior year and COVID-19 deaths per capita.22

Among the many devastating impacts wrought by COVID-19, the pandemic magnified inequities and systemic barriers already faced by vulnerable populations, including victims of violence against women crimes. The significant increase in economic volatility and isolation resulting from the crisis likely made already tenuous situations for victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) even worse, creating a “pandemic within a pandemic.”23 A report published by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice examining 34 U.S. cities reported historic year-over-year increases in murder rates in 2020; researchers examining a subset of 12 cities also found that domestic violence incidents spiked during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.24 The virus took a significant toll on communities of color across income levels in the U.S., with an especially large impact in lower-income communities.25 Undocumented and immigrant communities were also disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, reinforcing systemic barriers to care ranging from poverty, limited access to healthcare, and fear of legal repercussions, including deportation.26 Analysis of insurance claims data published in November 2020 also found that people with intellectual

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disabilities and developmental disorders were more likely to die of COVID-19 compared with patients without the conditions.27

As seen in Figure 4, below, efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly virus sent economic shocks across an already fragile socioeconomic system. Data collected through the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey in December 2020 indicates significant increases in the number of households experiencing food insufficiency compared with pre-pandemic levels, with Black and Latino adults more than twice as likely as white adults to report that their household did not get enough to eat in the past week.28

Figure 4. Impacts of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Coronavirus Cases and Deaths (Mar. 2020-April 2021)29

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rates by Month (Jan. 2010-Nov. 2020)30

The STOP Implementation Planning Committee sought to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking as well as on the work of victim services, law enforcement, prosecution, and courts. In November 2020, PCCD issued an updated STOP Field Survey to gauge how needs and priorities had shifted from those expressed by practitioners in January 2020, pre-pandemic. Nearly half of COVID-19 Survey respondents reported limited services for co-occurring disorders as the biggest gap for their organization in providing effective services to victims, up from 18% in the pre-COVID survey. In addition, nearly a third of respondents in the COVID-19 Field Survey

Feb-10, 8.8

Feb-20, 4.7

Apr-20, 16.1

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reported challenges related to insufficient staffing (31%), up from 19% in the pre-COVID Field Survey.

Beyond its many challenges and traumas, COVID-19 also created opportunities to accelerate innovative practices to improve access to services and supports for victims. More courts in Pennsylvania moved to adopt electronic processes such as virtual hearings and electronic filing of protection orders. In addition, the pandemic catalyzed availability of virtual resources and supports, including telemedicine and telecounseling, which hold potential to increase access to critical services and supports, especially for disconnected and/or rural populations.

Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities

In the midst of a global pandemic that disproportionately impacted people of color, 2020 was also a year of racial reckoning and protest in the wake of the high-profile killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, among others. In the spring and summer of 2020, Pennsylvania saw more than 100 demonstrations pushing for racial justice across the Commonwealth, from large cities to small rural towns.31 State policymakers in Harrisburg also advanced new reforms aimed at building trust between communities and police.32

As the Commonwealth’s justice planning and policymaking agency, PCCD is committed to playing a role in promoting equity and addressing racial/ethnic disparities within the justice system. In 2020, PCCD established a Racial and Ethnic Disparities Subcommittee under the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, complementing an existing Subcommittee of the same name already in place within its Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Advisory Committee. In addition, in December 2020, the Victims’ Services Advisory Committee (VSAC) within PCCD approved a new “Cultural Responsiveness Core Standard” and related program requirements and recommended practices as part of PCCD’s Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards. As articulated in those standards:

“The diversity of a community – by age, ethnicity, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and neuro-diversity – is woven into the fabric that defines local communities across Pennsylvania. Each person’s belief system is built on and influenced by their cultural, social, and family experiences. These beliefs will affect the choices that a victim of crime, a survivor, and their family makes in seeking support from Victim Service Providers (VSPs). To ensure a victim’s trust and comfort, the VSP must eliminate organizational biases that discourage or prevent victims from accessing services. VSPs must be culturally responsive to the needs of all victims.

“The Cultural Responsiveness of an organization expands beyond the functionality of service delivery. To ‘achieve’ cultural responsiveness, VSPs must interlace the practice into aspects of the VSP’s vision, mission, personnel practices, and service delivery.”

Finally, PCCD’s 2021-2025 Strategic Framework, which was unanimously adopted by the Commission in December 2020, also included goals and objectives focused on promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity as well as addressing racial and ethnic disparities impacting fair and equitable treatment within the systems PCCD engages.

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https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Victim-Services/Documents/Consolidated%20Victim%20Service%20Program%20Standards%20-%20CURRENT.pdf


https://www.pccd.pa.gov/AboutUs/Documents/2021-25%20PCCD%20Strategic%20Framework.pdf

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, which involves coercive exploitation of individuals for commercial gain, remains a concern across the globe, country, and Commonwealth.33 A 2020 report published by the Human Trafficking Institute found that Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the United States for the number of active criminal human trafficking cases going through the State’s federal courts.34 In September 2014, Pennsylvania enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking measures through Act 105 of 2014. The law expanded Pennsylvania’s legal definition of human trafficking as a felony offense and provided new and enhanced protections for victims of human trafficking, including both criminal justice and civil remedies.35 Subject to availability of funds, Act 105 also tasked PCCD with new responsibilities to prevent and address human trafficking by awarding grants to eligible entities as well as developing model forms that can be used by individuals working with human trafficking victims outlining key information about rights, options, and resources.

In its planning deliberations, STOP Committee members consistently identified human trafficking as a priority. While the Commonwealth has taken important steps to increase awareness of human trafficking, stakeholders noted that many parents/guardians, teachers, coaches, and other community members are still not aware of what human trafficking is, what to look for, how to report, etc. In addition, although federal and state resources have gone toward supporting implementation of human trafficking programs in Pennsylvania, many communities still struggle to gauge actual levels of trafficking and put appropriate procedures and supports in place. Members discussed the challenges of screening for human trafficking, noting that it is difficult to know what questions to ask across multiple systems (healthcare, treatment centers, law enforcement, etc.). The Committee also discussed intersections of human trafficking with domestic violence and sexual violence, as well as issues related to economic justice (e.g., labor trafficking).

PCCD/OVS has supported several initiatives focused on addressing human trafficking across Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) used STOP funding to support statewide training and technical assistance efforts related to trafficking, including:

Education about sex trafficking, Building capacity for human trafficking response teams across the state, Outreach and education on campus responses to sexual violence The intersection of sexual violence and mental illness; and Vicarious/secondary trauma.

In addition, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) received STOP funds to develop webinars for judges and court staff on a variety of topics, including human trafficking. To complement the statewide STOP initiatives described above, STOP funding was also used to create a collaborative community response model to sex trafficking for youth (ages 11-17) and adults in Montgomery County. Chosen in part for its size and diversity, Montgomery County is the third most populated county in Pennsylvania, consisting of 62 townships and

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2014&sessInd=0&act=105

boroughs and more than 800,000 residents. Montgomery County includes rural, suburban and urban communities, and is both ethnically and economically diverse; 10.2% of residents are immigrants. Using STOP funds, the Montgomery County Project developed a multi-tiered collaborative process that included a leadership team responsible for the project and protocol development and a multidisciplinary Sex Trafficking Response Team (STRT). The STRT met monthly and developed written policies, procedures, and protocols outlining best practices and responder’s roles and responsibilities for sex trafficking incidents. This project was overseen by an advisory workgroup of state and national experts who provided technical assistance and guidance to the initiative. The advisory workgroup included PCAR, who provided guidance on the feasibility of proposed policies and protocols as they related to the implementation of a Model Response to Sex Trafficking.

The STOP Committee encouraged OVS to evaluate existing programs addressing human trafficking (including those funded by PCCD) to determine what is working and how these efforts can be expanded to reach other communities in Pennsylvania.

With this in mind, Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan continues to emphasize cross-system collaboration, training, and technical assistance focused on improving response to human trafficking victims among law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and victim services. PCCD will collate and disseminate resources related to human trafficking as part of a “clearinghouse” of resources for STOP Teams. Specifically, Objective 1.3 prioritizes STOP funding for increasing the adoption of effective identification of (e.g., screening protocols) and multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking across Pennsylvania.

Trauma-Informed Approaches

During its deliberations, STOP Committee members noted that while trauma-informed care is fairly standard practice in the victim services community, it is not yet widely embraced in other systems that interact with victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This practice is especially important for victims with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with co-occurring disorders.

Building on recommendations from stakeholders, one of the STOP Committee’s recommended “guiding principles” was to prioritize trauma- and healing-informed practices within STOP funding, with a particular emphasis on increasing adoption of these approaches in systems and settings beyond victim services (e.g., law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, healthcare, etc.). Objective 4.3 also encourages the use of STOP funding to increase the number of hospital-based personnel trained on effectively addressing sexual assault victims/survivors, including utilization of trauma-informed approaches.

In addition to prioritizing trauma-informed practices within STOP funding, the Committee expressed continued support for policies that increase attention to trauma-informed/healing-informed practices, such as the recommendations outlined in the Commonwealth’s 2020 Trauma-Informed PA Plan.

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https://www.scribd.com/document/470553274/2020-Trauma-Informed-PA-Plan?secret_password=AcWbQ2CvooqQQ8w20WZO

B. Description of the methods used to identify underserved populations within the State and the results of those methods, including demographic data on the distribution of underserved populations within the State. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i(2)(E); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(e)). (REQUIRED)

PCCD utilized a combination of stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and consultation with STOP Committee members and other partners to identify underserved populations within the Commonwealth. PCCD’s Office of Research, Evaluation, and Strategic Policy Development analyzed available demographic data (Census, other data sources) to determine the distribution of these underserved populations in Pennsylvania.

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III. Description of Planning Process

A. A brief description of the planning process (REQUIRED).

As the State Administering Agency for the VAWA STOP funds, PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services (OVS), in partnership with the Office of Research, Evaluation and Strategic Policy Development (ORESPD) and the Office of the Executive Director, guided a three-phase planning process:

Phase 1 – Stakeholder Feedback & STOP Committee Onboarding (Jan.-Oct. 2020)

PCCD staff reviewed Pennsylvania’s 2017-2020 STOP Implementation Plan and identified potential stakeholders for inclusion and drafting of the new 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan.

OVS disseminated a statewide needs assessment survey using Survey Monkey in January 2020 and again in the fall of 2020 to account for impacts of COVID-19. PCCD received 489 total survey responses, including 123 responses from Law Enforcement (25.2%), 167 from Victim Services (34.2%), 59 from Prosecution (12.1%), 132 from Courts (27%), and 7 identifying as “Other” allied professionals (1.4%). (Note: Key survey findings from PCCD’s STOP Field Surveys are available in Appendix A.)

PCCD hosted Focus Groups with stakeholders representing Civil Legal Services, Courts, Victim Services, Law Enforcement, and Prosecution. (Note: A summary of key themes and findings from these Focus Group sessions is included in Appendix B.)

Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Planning Committee met for the first of seven meetings on September 23, 2020. The Committee was comprised of representatives from statewide domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, victim services, state and municipal law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and representatives from underserved populations. (Please see Appendix C for a roster of Committee members and Appendix D for a summary of the Committee’s recommendations).

Researchers and data analysts from ORESPD provided a data briefing to STOP Committee members regarding relevant population, crime, and other statewide trends during its October 28, 2020 meeting.

Phase 2 – Identifying Priorities & Early Drafting (Nov.-Dec. 2020)

PCCD staff synthesized emerging themes and priorities from stakeholder engagement

and Committee discussions to date. A STOP Implementation Planning Tool was developed and used to identify priorities

for Pennsylvania’s STOP Plan and facilitate Committee discussions on November 17 and December 10, 2020.

STOP Committee identified additional data and research needs to inform planning. PCCD reached out to additional stakeholders (including culturally specific and

underserved populations) to gather further input and feedback for the Plan.

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Phase 3 – Refining & Finalizing Pennsylvania’s STOP Plan (Jan.-Jun. 2021)

PCCD staff developed a summary of Recommendations for Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Plan outlining guiding principles and approaches, proposed STOP goals and objectives, as well as other priorities identified by Pennsylvania’s STOP Committee.

A preliminary draft of Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan was crafted by PCCD/OVS staff based on final STOP Committee recommendations and presented for initial consideration to members of the Victims Services Advisory Committee (VSAC) on February 9, 2021.

Draft FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan revised based on VSAC members’ feedback and shared with STOP Committee members for 30-day review period. Revisions and updates are made to the Plan based on STOP Committee input.

On May 11, 2021, VSAC considered the final version of Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan as an action item for approval and adoption, setting funding priorities for Pennsylvania’s next competitive STOP grant cycle.

On June 9, 2021, the Plan is presented as an informational item to the Commission.

In addition to the activities described above, PCCD also maintained STOP’s 2017-2020 Implementation Plan priorities by honoring competitive contracts aligned with the goals and objectives articulated in that document.

B. Documentation from each member of the planning committee as to their participation in the planning process. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(B); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(7)).

1. State sexual assault coalition

2. State domestic violence coalition

3. Dual domestic violence and sexual assault coalition

4. Law enforcement entity or State law enforcement organization

5. Prosecution entity or State prosecution organization

6. A court or the State Administrative Office of the Courts

7. Representatives from tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal coalitions

8. Population specific organizations representing the most significant underserved populations and culturally specific populations in the State other than tribes (which are addressed separately)

9. Other if relevant (including survivors, probation, parole, etc.)

At a minimum, this documentation must include the following for each planning committee member (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(B); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(c)(2)(ii)):

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1. Which category the participant represents of the entities listed in 34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(2), such as law enforcement, State coalition, population specific organization, etc.;

2. Whether they were informed about meeting(s);

3. Whether they attended meeting(s);

4. Whether they were given drafts of the implementation plan to review;

5. Whether they submitted comments on the draft;

6. Whether they received a copy of the final plan and the summary of major concerns; and

7. Any significant concerns with the final plan.

The Pennsylvania STOP Implementation Planning Committee included the following members:

Marlene Austin, Executive Director, Passages, Inc. Doug Baker, Mayor, City of Franklin, Venango County (retired law enforcement) Lorraine Bitner, Chief Legal Officer, Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater

Pittsburgh Aileen Bowers, Court Administration, Beaver County Erica Brosig, Clinical Director, Victim Services, Inc.; Coordinator, Cambria County

Sexual Assault Response Team Deborah Calhoun, Scientific Services Director, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Arielle Curry, Anti-Trafficking Program Coordinator, Salvation Army Eastern

Pennsylvania and Delaware Karen Galbraith, Training Projects Coordinator, PCAR Denise Getgen, Director, Protective Services Office, Pennsylvania Department of

Aging Jamie Grobes, Legal Advocate, Transitions Rhonda Hendrickson, Vice President of Programs, The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Susan Higginbotham, Executive Director, PCADV Eileen Horgan, Supervising Criminal Advocacy Attorney, Women Against Abuse

Legal Center Judge Edward C. Howe, Magisterial District Judge, Beaver County Amy Kehner, Judicial Programs Administrator, AOPC Heather LaRocca, New Day, Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Dr. Sheridan Miyamoto, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator, SAFE-T

Center, Pennsylvania State University Brenda Nogales, Senior Manager of the Immigrant Survivor Services Program,

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) Sgt. Roger Ollis, City of Coatesville Police Department Mark Peffer, Chief Deputy Sheriff, Butler County

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Jamie Pizzi, Esq., Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Villanova University

Mae Reale, Blackburn Center, Westmoreland County Leslie Ridge, Deputy District Attorney, Washington County Greg Rowe, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association Deborah Shoemaker, Lobbyist and Ethics Specialist, Pennsylvania Psychiatric

Society Lisa Siciliano, Family Court Administrator, Berks County Jennifer Storm, Acting Victim Advocate, OVA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jenifer Thompson, Chief Program Services Officer, PCADV Sara Ullmer, Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley Lindsey Vaughan, Executive Director, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association

Appendix E contains documentation from each member of the STOP Implementation Planning Team outlining their participation in the planning process.

C. A description of consultation with other collaboration partners not included in the planning committee (do not include tribes in this section. See “III. D” below for information on consulting and coordinating with tribes). (REQUIRED)

1. Sexual assault victim service providers. (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(2)(H); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(1))

2. Domestic violence victim service providers. (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(2)(H); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(1))

3. Population specific organizations, representatives from underserved populations, and culturally specific organizations. (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(2)(G); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(2))

a. How the State selected and meaningfully consulted with the included organizations, and

b. how the State considered both demographics and barriers/historical lack of access to services for each population.

4. Information on any others that were consulted but not part of the planning committee.

In addition to partners included in the STOP Implementation Planning Committee, PCCD consulted with other stakeholders representing victim services, courts, law enforcement, prosecution, and related disciplines as part of the STOP planning process. PCCD and its partners invited stakeholders to provide feedback and input to inform the development and refinement of Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan via online surveys issued in 2020 as well as Focus Groups held virtually in September-October 2020.

Pennsylvania’s STOP planning efforts are supported by regular partnerships and collaboration with multiple entities at the state level. As the Commonwealth’s justice

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planning and policymaking agency, PCCD promotes cross-agency collaboration. PCCD’s OVS routinely works with sister state agencies on victim-related policy issues, including the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania’s Office of the Victim Advocate. PCCD has also fostered a strong partnership with the Office of Judicial Education within AOPC. Finally, PCCD/OVS continues to rely on the strong support and participation of statewide coalitions and associations, including PCADV, PCAR, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

D. Consultation and coordination with tribes (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(2)(F); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(3) and (c)(2)(iii))

1. A description of efforts to reach tribes.

2. Which tribes were consulted and which tribal official(s) for each tribe was contacted.

3. The means by which tribes were given the opportunity to offer their opinion.

Not applicable.

E. A summary of major concerns that were raised during the planning process and how they were addressed or why they were not addressed, which should be sent to the planning committee along with any draft implementation plan and the final plan. (28 C.F.R. 90.12(c)(2)(i))

In addition to the funding priorities included within this Plan, Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Planning Committee also identified several priorities that, while not appropriate for STOP Formula funds, should be addressed through other actions at the state level.

Committee members noted the importance of improving awareness and understanding of the rapidly evolving federal landscape related to K-12 and campus sexual assault, including new federal regulations under Title IX that took effect in August 2020. These rules and any other executive policy steps undertaken by a new administration are expected to significantly impact the policies and procedures in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education institutions related to sexual misconduct. In addition, Committee members recognized the importance of providing training for administrators, educators, law enforcement, and other personnel on best/promising practices for meeting the needs of students – especially younger students in K-12 schools – who have experienced sexual assault.36

The Committee expressed support for state legislation and/or funding to reinstate Domestic Violence Fatality/Near Fatality Reviews statewide, including providing protections for Review participants (such as those provided through the Public Health Child Death Review Act) as well as covering costs associated with training, coordination, and other activities.

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Members also called for increased investments at the federal and state levels for assisting victims struggling with behavioral health or mental health concerns, substance use disorders, and other co-occurring conditions. These investments could advance supports such as peer support models, referrals to specific care and services (e.g., counseling, treatment, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care), and other resources. In addition, the Committee encouraged PCCD to consider strategies to enhance coordination with problem solving courts (e.g., mental health courts, drug courts, Veterans courts, etc.).37 The Committee’s concerns were echoed by stakeholders, especially in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic: nearly half of respondents (48%) to the COVID-19 STOP Field Survey indicated limited services for co-occurring disorders was the biggest gap for their organization in providing effective services to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or dating violence victims.

During its sixth planning meeting, STOP Committee members discussed the need to increase dedicated resources to promote safe custody exchanges and ensure meaningful access to those services and supports for victims, especially underserved populations. Safety concerns at judicial proceedings, including custody exchanges, were a top issue identified by STOP Committee members as well as stakeholders in the field. Committee members highlighted efforts by Transitions of PA in Northumberland County as a model; the organization recently opened a secure place for custody exchanges and visitations, as well as provide legal and counseling services.38

In addition, STOP Committee members called on the Commonwealth to leverage available federal and state funds to expand victim notification capabilities for rape kit tracking, including supporting statewide use of automated tracking systems allowing sexual assault victims/survivors to log in online and see where their kit is in process.

Finally, Committee members advocated for inclusion of topics related to victimization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders within Act 180 police training.39

NOTE: A full summary of the STOP Committee’s findings and recommendations is available in Appendix D.

As part of its review of the preliminary draft of Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan, VSAC members expressed support for the goals and objectives identified by the STOP Implementation Planning Committee. One VSAC member shared that the Basic Training Academy for new and inexperienced parole officers developed by the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate has been “invaluable,” allowing the Office to provide technical assistance focused intently on domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and trauma overall for a key group of justice practitioners. In addition, the member noted that in a time of significant criminal justice reform, the need for continued education and technical assistance for these officers as they progress in their career is even more important given the increasing number of individuals re-entering communities.

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F. A description of how the State coordinated this plan with the State plan for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the programs under the Victims of Crime Act and section 393A of the Public Health Service Act (Rape Prevention Education), including the impact of that coordination on the contents of the plan. (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(3); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(b)(6) and (g)(6)).

Pennsylvania strives to coordinate its use of victim service-related funding streams to ensure limited resources are used effectively and efficiently. PCCD administers Pennsylvania’s allocation under the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Program. PCADV and PCAR were key members of the STOP Implementation Planning Committee; these statewide coalitions administer programs funded under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and Rape Prevention and Education Program (RPE), respectively.

Through strategic planning efforts, STOP, VOCA, FVPSA, and RPE funds are leveraged to 1) customize and sustain direct victim services, and 2) develop a coordinated intervention and prevention outreach strategy that responds to victims and confronts attitudes and norms that perpetuate violence against women. By coordinating various funding streams, engaging with diverse stakeholders across the Commonwealth, and evaluating the social, demographic, criminological, and economic trends affecting the State, OVS can ensure the use of STOP and VOCA are comprehensive and effective.

With the significant increase in VOCA awards that began in 2015, Pennsylvania’s Statewide Victims’ Service Advisory Committee’s (VSAC) developed a VOCA Funding Strategy that has yielded impressive gains. These advancements include:

Increasing the number of victims served by 57% over five years; A 1,065% increase in human trafficking victims served; More than quadrupling the availability of programs offering credentialed therapy; and 49 new programs funded.

Unfortunately, deposits into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) have decreased dramatically in recent years. Since 2014, CVF deposits have dropped by 86%, largely due to the increased use of deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements. (The monetary penalties associated with these agreements are deposited into the General Treasury rather than the CVF.)

The decreases in the CVF over the past three years have led to decreased federal awards to the states. Pennsylvania’s 2020 federal VOCA award decreased by 26% and the 2021 award will see a further estimated decrease of 35%. Without reforms at the federal level, even more drastic cuts to Pennsylvania’s federal award are projected to occur, resulting in slashed budgets and, most critically, reductions in the availability of services for crime victims, reversing the positive gains that have been made.

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IV. Documentation from Prosecution, Law Enforcement, Court, and Victim Services Programs

This documentation may be in the form of letters from current grantees or State- or Territory-wide organizations representing prosecution, law enforcement, courts and victim services able to comment on the current and proposed use of grant funds. The documentation must describe:

the need for the grant funds;

the intended use of the grant funds;

the expected result of the grant funds; and

the demographic characteristics of the population to be served including age, disability, race, ethnicity, and language background.

(34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(C))

Appendix F provides required letters of documentation from court, law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services programs.

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V. Plan for the Four-Year Implementation Period

A. Goals and Objectives

1. Concise description of the State’s goal and objectives for the implementation period. 28 C.F.R. 90.12(a)).

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania establishes the following goals and accompanying objectives for its FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan.

GOAL 1: Continue to support effective coordinated response among law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and courts to violence against women crimes through provision of high-quality, comprehensive training and technical assistance.

Objective 1.1: Continue to support statewide training and technical assistance

efforts that leverage the expertise of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate, and other subject matter experts for Victim Services, Prosecution, Law Enforcement and Courts.

Objective 1.2: Support continued statewide training on protection orders, with a

focus on increasing awareness and understanding of different types of orders, eligibility criteria, and other key issues.

Objective 1.3: Increase adoption of effective identification of (e.g., screening

protocols) and multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking across Pennsylvania.

Objective 1.4: Deliver training on issues related to the intersections of technology

and violence against women crimes (e.g., technology abuse, cyberstalking), including investigative techniques for evidence-based prosecution, providing support for victims/survivors, utilization of protection orders and other tools, as well as other best practices.

GOAL 2: Increase safety of victims/survivors as well as service providers.

Objective 2.1: Using Court funding through STOP, the Administrative Office of

Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) will support the development and implementation of court-based protocols and procedures for statewide use that minimize interactions between parties before and after hearings.

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Objective 2.2: Improve documentation of and response to strangulation through development of new trainings (such as professional education for first responders) and tools, as well as dissemination of existing resources and best practices.

GOAL 3: Identify and meaningfully address barriers to service for culturally specific and underserved populations in Pennsylvania.

Objective 3.1: Prioritize STOP funding for projects that meaningfully address

service provision to underserved populations (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, elder victims, LGBTQ+ victims, people with mental health and/or substance use disorders, individuals with disabilities, etc.).

Objective 3.2: Provide training to increase awareness of immigrant communities

in Pennsylvania among first responders, enhance understanding of unique barriers faced by this population (e.g., language access, fear of deportation, cultural barriers, etc.), and identify strategies to effectively provide services and supports.

Objective 3.3: Prioritize STOP funding for counties that engage community-

based, culturally specific organizations as funded partners, including cross-county/regional projects focused on improving outreach to specific underserved populations, addressing barriers to service, and building capacity.

Objective 3.4: Invest in practices that address victimization among vulnerable

populations, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and/or older Pennsylvanians, with a particular focus on addressing sexual violence within facilities serving these populations (e.g., nursing homes, personal care homes, residential facilities, group homes, etc.).

GOAL 4: Improve coordinated responses to sexual assault.

Objective 4.1: Increase the number of multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response

Teams (SARTs) across the Commonwealth by providing funding for counties to start or enhance programs through training, support personnel (e.g., SART Coordinators), and/or improve coordination with existing multidisciplinary teams.

Objective 4.2: Develop and deliver cross-training programs on successful sexual

assault prosecutions, with a focus on the benefits of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and medical evidence to the prosecutorial process.

Objective 4.3: Increase the number of hospital-based personnel trained on

effectively addressing sexual assault victims/survivors, including utilization of trauma-informed approaches.

GOAL 5: Reduce domestic violence-related homicides in Pennsylvania.

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Objective 5.1: Continue to partner with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against

Domestic Violence to support implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) in municipalities/counties across the Commonwealth using STOP funds.

Objective 5.2: To improve consistency of implementation statewide, provide

training and continued education on key provisions of Act 79 of 2018, including protection orders and weapons relinquishment requirements.

2. Description of how STOP funding will be used to meet the State’s goal and

objectives during the implementation period. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(1); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(a)).

The strength of the STOP Formula Grant Program lies in its ability to foster and sustain cross-system collaboration that improves coordinated responses to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. All counties receiving STOP funds must have active Coordinating Teams, providing ongoing leadership and direction to the STOP Project, ensuring effective collaboration among systems that promote victim safety, and coordinating local responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. Recognizing the critical role STOP funding plays in driving positive culture shifts and institutionalizing model protocols, PCCD believes it is important to maintain the strength of Pennsylvania’s core efforts under STOP, which serve as a strong foundation for accomplishing the goals and objectives identified in this Plan. To that end, Pennsylvania reaffirms its commitment to preserve core services under STOP, including provision of the following direct services to victims:

Crisis intervention; Supportive counseling through either individual sessions or groups; Victim advocacy and accompaniment within the criminal and juvenile justice

systems, healthcare, immigration, financial, and/or educational institutions, etc.; Language access services (i.e., provision of interpretation and/or translation); Legal advocacy; Emergency housing; Safety planning; Multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs); Crime Victims Compensation assistance; and Transportation assistance.

Pennsylvania also reaffirms the value of specialized units in law enforcement and criminal justice. These specialized units typically consist of a full- or part-time position dedicated to working on violence against women crimes. These positions help develop and maintain expertise at the local level, ensuring crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence are given the attention they deserve, investigated thoroughly, prosecuted to the greatest extent possible, and that systems’ response to

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victims are trauma-informed. Currently, 25 counties in Pennsylvania (out of 33 STOP-funded counties) support specialized prosecutors using STOP funds; 21 counties support specialized county detectives.

As with prior STOP Implementation Plans, Pennsylvania’s proposed approach for FFY 2022-2025 relies on systemic collaboration at both the State and local levels. While the bulk of implementation activities will take place at the county and community levels through the work of multidisciplinary STOP Coordinating Teams, the STOP Implementation Planning Committee identified several areas in which statewide efforts were needed. This included continuing support for statewide technical assistance and training initiatives that leverage the experience and expertise of PCCD’s partners representing victim services, law enforcement, courts, and prosecution to support local STOP Coordinating Teams. In addition, STOP Committee members highlighted specific topics and issues to be addressed through statewide training, including protection orders, effective identification of and response to human trafficking, and issues related to the intersections of technology and violence against women crimes.

3. A description of how the funds will be distributed across the law enforcement, prosecution, courts, victim services, and discretionary allocation categories. (See 34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(4)).

PCCD plans to open a competitive grantmaking process to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania and will prioritize areas of varying geographic size and other demographics, supporting counties demonstrating the greatest need. As with prior STOP competitive funding cycles, all successful applicants will be required to have STOP Coordinating Teams comprised of victim services, law enforcement, prosecution, and county probation/parole. In addition, PCCD will evaluate proposed STOP Projects to determine alignment with goals and objectives identified within this Plan, and to ensure Pennsylvania meets the STOP-mandated allocation categories for law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services.

B. Statutory Priority Areas

1. Information on how the State plans to meet the sexual assault set-aside, including how the State will ensure the funds are allocated for programs or projects in two or more allocations (law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and courts). (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(5)).

Research suggests an estimated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.40 While sexual violence can happen to anyone, women, girls, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are especially vulnerable.41 And although experiences of harassment, assault, and violence are too common, very few victims formally report incidents, leading to misperceptions about the scope and prevalence of these issues. Regaining a sense of control is vital to survivors’

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ability to recover and is often the driving force behind decisions to not report incidents of violence to law enforcement or other officials, such as school or campus administrators.42

Survivors of sexual violence are more likely to share their experiences and seek assistance from law enforcement, courts, and other systems if the processes they encounter are victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.43 One of the most promising approaches for improving victim experiences is the multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model, which provides an organized and community-based response to sexual assault. While they vary in scope and membership, most SARTs include victim advocates, medical/forensic examiners, law enforcement, and prosecutors, as well as representatives from community-based services and organizations (as needed). A national study of SARTs found that teams with more formal procedures, frequent collaboration, active membership, and meaningful engagement of varied stakeholders had the highest levels of perceived effectiveness.44 Successful SARTs also foster improved relationships among sexual assault responders, and often lead to improvements in legal outcomes, especially when SART responses included a SANE medical/forensic exam.45

PCCD plans to meet the 20% set-aside for programs that meaningfully address sexual assault, as required under STOP. This set-aside will ensure that funds are distributed from two or more STOP allocation areas (law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and courts). Pennsylvania’s STOP Planning Committee identified three objectives to fulfill the goal of improving coordinated responses to sexual assault as well as meet STOP’s sexual assault set-aside requirements:

Objective 4.1: Increase the number of multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) across the Commonwealth by providing funding for counties to start or enhance programs through training, support personnel (e.g., SART Coordinators), and/or improve coordination with existing multidisciplinary teams.

Objective 4.2: Develop and deliver cross-training programs on successful sexual assault prosecutions, with a focus on the benefits of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and medical evidence to the prosecutorial process.

Objective 4.3: Increase the number of hospital-based personnel trained on effectively addressing sexual assault victims/survivors, including utilization of trauma-informed approaches.

In addition to supporting initiatives aligned with Objectives 4.2 and 4.3 through its competitive funding solicitation for counties, PCCD plans to issue a special funding announcement specifically focused on Objective 4.1 (increasing the number of SARTs across the state). Projects supported under the new STOP funding cycle will build on the successes of currently funded initiatives focused on sexual assault:

Bedford, Bucks, and Franklin Counties have longstanding multidisciplinary SARTs supported by STOP funding.

PCCD also funds the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) through VOCA for its Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth (SAFE-T) Center, which

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https://safetcenter.psu.edu/

provides 24/7 expert Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) consultation and support via telehealth technology to healthcare professionals conducting sexual assault forensic exams.

In 2014-15, PCAR used STOP funding to assist with coordination and implementation of a statewide collaborative effort with local sexual assault programs and healthcare facilities to ensure that victims of sexual violence were aware that they could receive a sexual assault forensic exam at no cost to them.

PCAR continues to provide outreach and training to assist counties with complying with state legislation around sexual assault evidence collection, testing, storage, and notification of victims.

In 2015-2016, PCAR and PCADV provided training all over the State on the newly enacted Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act to ensure that victim services, law enforcement, prosecutors and court personnel understood the law, sexual violence protection orders, protection from abuse orders and eligibility guidelines under each.

2. Goals and objectives for reducing domestic violence-related homicides within the

State, including available statistics on the rates of domestic violence homicide within the State and challenges specific to the State and how the plan can overcome them. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(G); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(f)).

Over the past decade, more than 1,600 individuals were killed as a result of domestic violence in Pennsylvania; this includes 112 victims who lost their lives to domestic violence in 2019.46 Nearly half of victims were killed by a current or former intimate partner, and the majority were killed with a firearm (57%).47 Studies have reinforced the linkages between firearms and intimate partner violence, showing significant correlations between abusers’ access to guns and the risk of homicide. Research has found that women who are physically abused by their partners are five times as likely to be killed when their partner owns a firearm, and those who are threatened or assaulted with a gun are 20 times more likely to be murdered.48

Recognizing the intersections of domestic violence-related homicides and access to firearms and other weapons, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted new reforms under Act 79 of 2018, which took effect on April 10, 2019. The law established new requirements to increase safety provisions to help prevent domestic violence homicides, including the timely relinquishment of weapons for Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders and misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Under the new law, eligible individuals must relinquish firearms, weapons, and/or ammunition within 24 hours to a sheriff or appropriate law enforcement agency, licensed firearms dealer or commercial armory, or their attorney.49

PCCD recently entered into a data sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to access and analyze datasets relevant to gun violence in the Commonwealth, including domestic violence-related incidents. As part of that agreement, PCCD has obtained and conducted preliminary analysis of Protection From Abuse Database (PFAD) data, including weapons relinquishment orders pursuant

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to Act 79. This analysis will help answer questions articulated under Data/Research Priority 5 (“Intersections of Gun Violence with Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in Pennsylvania”) in PCCD’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention Research Agenda, published in September 2020.

Since 2012, PCCD has partnered with PCADV on statewide implementation of Maryland’s evidence-based Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) model in the Commonwealth. Nationally recognized and evidence-based, the LAP model was originally developed by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence in conjunction with Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell based key findings from her national research, including:

In half of domestic violence-related homicides, law enforcement officers had previously responded to a call involving the same victim;

The re-assault rate of domestic violence victims in high danger was reduced by more than 60% if they went into a shelter; and

Only 4% of domestic violence homicide victims had ever contacted a hotline, shelter, or program prior to being killed by an intimate partner.50

Informed by these findings, the LAP model seeks to reduce domestic violence-related homicides and save lives by addressing the corollary challenges of identifying victims at high risk of being killed and connecting those victims with services and supports through a domestic violence program. LAP promotes a coordinated community response, connecting victims who are at the highest risk of being killed with domestic violence services.51 Using the LAP model, police arriving on the scene of a domestic violence incident ask a series of screening questions used to determine the potential lethality risk posed by the situation based on the victim’s responses.52

Currently, LAP is being implemented in 47 out of 59 domestic violence programs and 387 municipal police departments in 50 counties across Pennsylvania – a significant increase in scope from levels reported in Pennsylvania’s FFY 2017-2020 STOP Implementation Plan, as shown in Figure 5, below.

Figure 5. LAP Implementation in Pennsylvania, 2020 vs. 2017

43

47

40

42

44

46

48

2017 2020

Domestic Violence Programs Using LAP

(2017-2020)

223

387

0

100

200

300

400

500

2017 2020

Municipal Police Departments Using LAP

(2017-2020)

42

50

35

40

45

50

55

2017 2020

Counties with LAP (2017-2020)

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https://www.pccd.pa.gov/criminaljustice/GunViolence/Documents/PCCD%20Gun%20Violence%20Research%20Agenda.pdf

https://www.pccd.pa.gov/criminaljustice/GunViolence/Documents/PCCD%20Gun%20Violence%20Research%20Agenda.pdf

Of the 33 counties currently funded through STOP, 29 are implementing LAP, as shown in Figure 6, below.

Figure 6. Counties Using LAP in Pennsylvania (2020)

Data collected since LAP’s initial implementation in October 2012 demonstrates the model’s significant impact. Since inception, police officers have conducted more than 19,000 victim screenings using LAP. During 2020, law enforcement completed 4,104 screens, of which 67% (2,738) were identified as at high danger of being killed by their abuser. Of those high-risk victims, 1,203 (44%) agreed to speak with a hotline advocate while the police officer was still on the scene. Of those who spoke to an advocate, 797 (66%) went to the domestic violence program to receive further services. An additional 1,077 victims who screened in as non-high danger did not or could not answer the screening questions, or did not talk with an advocate, accessed program services.

Given LAP’s proven impact, the STOP Planning Committee strongly supports continued partnership with PCADV to support implementation of LAP in municipalities/counties across the Commonwealth using STOP funds under Goal 5, Objective 5.1. The Committee identified several underlying strategies to help achieve Objective 5.1, including:

Supporting expansion of LAP in new municipalities/counties across the Commonwealth using STOP funds;

Work with PSP to develop LAP protocols for primary coverage areas;

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Provide LAP refresher trainings as well as continued technical assistance for municipal police departments and domestic violence programs in counties that have already implemented LAP using STOP funds;

Support the development and deployment of tools (e.g., LAP Mobile App) that enhance implementation efforts;

To increase language access as part of the LAP process and on-scene interviews, provide interpretation and other services/resources (e.g., create different versions of printed forms and documents, update LAP Mobile App to be bilingual or multilingual capable, etc.).

In addition, the STOP Committee expressed support for utilizing STOP funds to provide training and continued education on key provisions of Act 79 of 2018, including protection orders and weapons relinquishment requirements, to improve consistency of implementation statewide. Committee members noted that the initial statewide training was excellent, but there is a need to continue education to ensure compliance with the letter and the spirit of the law. Training should provide a good foundation on the requirements of the law, what the text of the Act means, and how to translate the law’s requirements into practice at the local level. Furthermore, professional development programs could include weapons relinquishment training on the specific process and who is responsible for what (i.e., sheriff’s office vs. police department).

C. Addressing the Needs of Underserved Victims

1. Description of how the State plans to meet the needs of the identified underserved populations, including, but not limited to, culturally specific populations, victims who are underserved because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and victims with limited English proficiency. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(E); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(e))

Pennsylvania is committed to addressing the needs of underserved victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Additionally, PCCD is committed to ensuring cultural responsiveness in the delivery of services to victims of these crimes. In December 2020, VSAC approved a new “Cultural Responsiveness Core Standard” and related program requirements and recommended practices as part of PCCD’s Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards, reaffirming its commitment to effectively serving underserved and culturally specific populations.

Over the course of Pennsylvania’s STOP planning process, much of the conversation centered on the importance of listening to and learning from the experiences of different underserved and historically marginalized groups, taking time to identify the specific barriers victims may face in accessing services and supports, and developing solutions in partnership with organizations effectively serving these populations in Pennsylvania’s communities.

As one example, Committee members as well as individuals participating in STOP Focus Groups urged the consideration of the complexities of processes, programs,

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and systems faced by victims who are immigrants, refugees, or undocumented. Stakeholders noted that victims’ prior negative experiences with authorities often results in significant reluctance to interact with service providers. To meaningfully increase access to services, members recommended partnering with groups who work with these populations to help improve relationships. This process of building trust is critical – not just for immigrant populations in the State, but for other underserved populations as well, because trust allows more victims to come forward and share what they need, and promotes accountability among providers to ensure they are ready to effectively meet those needs.

Throughout the planning process, STOP Committee members emphasized the need to provide access to high-quality services and supports for all victims of Violence Against Women (VAW) crime, with an emphasis on the following underserved populations:

Racial/ethnic minority victims; Human trafficking victims; Victims with limited English proficiency; and Immigrants, refugees, and undocumented individuals.

In addition to these groups, stakeholders responding to PCCD’s STOP Field Survey and participating in STOP Focus Groups consistently identified people living in rural areas, older adults (65 and above), victims with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities (especially transgender victims) as additional underserved populations across the Commonwealth. STOP Committee members also urged PCCD to consider the importance of intersectionality, especially for individuals who have multiple marginalized identities, such as women of color, LGBTQ+ elders, victims with disabilities and limited English proficiency, etc.

In addition to the goals and objectives identified on pages 22-24, STOP Committee members also urged PCCD to utilize several guiding principles and approaches across STOP-funded initiatives to identify and meaningfully address barriers to service for culturally specific and underserved populations in Pennsylvania:

Reinforce expectations of cultural appropriateness among all service providers.53

Facilitate the development and/or enhancement of meaningful collaborations between providers and community-based organizations to provide effective supports to underserved populations.

Develop new and/or disseminate existing guidance, tools, and other resources to aid in the development and implementation of language access protocols for subgrantees and partners (e.g., interpreters, language access services, initial/ongoing training, policy development, etc.).

To ensure Pennsylvania meets the set-aside for culturally specific services, PCCD will continue to encourage STOP applicants to review current Census data for their

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counties; form partnerships with community programs providing services to underserved populations; and have meaningful representation of the underserved population on the STOP Coordinating Team. In addition, STOP funding under the next competitive funding cycle will be prioritized for applicants meeting criteria under Objectives 3.1-3.4. PCCD will also release a targeted Funding Announcement for culturally specific services and organizations using STOP funds.

PCCD will continue to prioritize competitive applications that demonstrate a history of working effectively together to improve service provision to underserved populations, as well as for projects that engage community-based culturally specific organizations as funded partners. For this funding cycle, PCCD will also look to support cross-county/regional projects focused on improving outreach to specific underserved populations, addressing barriers to service, and building capacity. Furthermore, PCCD will give priority consideration for STOP Projects that provide training to increase awareness of immigrant communities among first responders, enhance understanding of unique barriers faced by this population, and identify strategies to effectively provide services and supports. Finally, PCCD will prioritize STOP funding for practices that address victimization among vulnerable populations, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and/or older Pennsylvanians, with a particular focus on addressing sexual violence within facilities serving these populations (e.g., nursing homes, residential facilities, personal care homes, group homes).

2. A description of how the State will ensure that monies set aside to fund culturally specific services and activities for underserved populations are distributed equitably among those populations. (34 U.S.C. 10446(e)(2)(D) and (i)(2)(F); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(d)(4))

PCCD will ensure that funds set aside to support culturally specific services and activities for underserved populations are distributed equitably among those populations by prioritizing areas of varying geographic size demonstrating the greatest level of need based on the availability of existing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking programs, in addition to crime data and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other relevant sources.

3. Specifics on how the State plans to meet the set-aside for culturally specific community-based organizations, including a description of how the State will reach out to community-based organizations that provide linguistically and culturally specific services. This could include specific information as to which subgrantees met the required 10% set aside within the victim services allocation for culturally specific organizations during the prior funding cycle. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(E); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(g)(2))

PCCD/OVS will continue work closely with partners to identify needs and ensure availability of resources to fulfill the 10% set-aside funding mandate for culturally specific community-based organizations under STOP.

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This work will build on current STOP projects in which community-based, culturally specific agencies were engaged as funded partners in providing services to underserved populations:

In Berks County, SAFE Berks passes STOP funding through to Centro Hispano, which serves the Hispanic/Latinx population of Reading and the broader county. Centro Hispano uses STOP funding to support two trained case managers who work in collaboration with SAFE Berks to identify and refer Hispanic/Latinx victims. The organization also regularly trains and advises SAFE Berks staff on cultural issues concerning the Hispanic/Latinx community in Berks County.

The Women’s Center of Beaver County passes STOP funding through to R.O.O.T.S., Inc., a faith-based community organization, to support their participation in the STOP Coordinating Team, advise on cultural issues impacting the administration of LAP in the county’s Black-majority communities, and provide referrals to services.

The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County passes STOP funding through to La Comunidad Hispana, a community-based health center serving Chester County’s Spanish-speaking population. STOP funding supports two bilingual case managers who identify and refer Spanish-speaking victims for services. La Comunidad Hispana is also a member of the local STOP Coordinating Team.

D. Grant-making Strategy

1. Timeline for the STOP grant cycle. (See 28 C.F.R. 90.12(g)(8)).

Competitive funding to support goals and objectives outlined in Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan will be made available as follows:

Date/Timeframe Funding/Grantmaking Activity June/July 2021 Release competitive solicitations for counties and

statewide technical assistance/training solicitations. December 2021 Make awards to counties and statewide technical

assistance/training projects. In general, counties receiving competitive funds under STOP will have three years for project activities. Statewide projects, including training and technical assistance initiatives under Goals 1 and 2, will vary between 1-year and multi-year initiatives, as needed.

PCCD will ensure STOP funds are expended appropriately and for the purposes mandated under VAWA. As with prior STOP funding cycles, OVS will conduct site-specific monitoring activities for each of the counties funded through the competitive solicitation process. Monitoring consists of meeting with the project team (in-person or virtually) as well as connecting with each component of the STOP Project to ensure

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compliance with grant requirements and fidelity to the goals and objectives in the county’s STOP application. In between these one-on-one monitoring “visits,” OVS staff will also conduct telephone interviews with STOP Coordinating Team Leaders to assess progress, offer technical assistance or help problem solve. PCCD staff will review annual reports as well as quarterly fiscal reports. PCCD/OVS will meet quarterly with PCADV and PCAR to assess progress on implementation of STOP in Pennsylvania and identify any trends in technical assistance needs.

2. Description of how the State will ensure that eligible entities are aware of funding opportunities, including projects serving underserved populations. (28 C.F.R. 90.12(d)(5) and (g)(4))

PCCD released a competitive grant opportunity in April 2018 resulting in 33 county-based STOP projects. PCCD also funded five state-level training and technical assistance projects as well as the 5% court allocation to the Pennsylvania Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts using STOP dollars. Together, these programs (county and statewide) received funds across the five STOP allocation areas (Law Enforcement, Victim Services, Courts, Prosecution, and Discretionary). PCCD plans to release a new competitive grant opportunity in Summer 2021. As with past STOP solicitations, the competitive funding announcements will be posted publicly and made available through PCCD’s Egrants System, which automatically generates notices of funding announcements to all subscribers. OVS will also provide funding notices in its regularly published newsletter, which has a mailing list of over 1,100 individuals throughout Pennsylvania. PCCD’s website also features prominently displayed “Grant Opportunities” and “Funding” tabs on its home page; information about the availability of STOP funding will be featured there as solicitations are released and open.

In addition, PCCD will work with partners representing state agencies, culturally specific community-based organizations, local domestic violence and sexual assault service providers, law enforcement, judiciary, district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ offices, and other criminal justice organizations. PCCD will also seek the assistance of key stakeholders and professional associations such as members of VSAC as well as PCAR, PCADV, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, and other organizations to ensure distribution of information regarding funding opportunities within their relevant networks, including posting information through newsletters, listservs, and/or social media.

3. Description of how the State will ensure that any subgrantees will consult with victim service providers during the course of developing their grant applications in order to ensure that the proposed activities are designed to promote the safety, confidentiality, and economic independence of victims. (34 U.S.C. 10446(i)(2)(D))

As mentioned previously, all successful STOP applicants are required to have STOP Coordinating Teams comprised of victim services, law enforcement, prosecution, and county probation/parole. Victim services organizations, as required members of STOP

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Coordinating Teams, fully participate in the development of STOP applications before they are submitted to PCCD to ensure proposed activities promote the safety, confidentiality, and economic independence of victims.

4. Description of how the State will identify and select applicants for subgrant funding, including whether a competitive process will be used. If different selection methods will be used for each allocation category, describe the method. (28 C.F.R. 90.12(g)(8))

As with prior STOP funding cycles, PCCD will utilize a competitive application process for counties seeking funds for STOP projects using an electronic grants management system (Egrants System). A funding announcement will be released to the field in the summer of 2021, and applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based on criteria aligned with goals and objectives articulated in Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan. PCCD will recruit independent reviewers to read and score applications received through the solicitation and will also provide training to individuals serving as reviewers. PCCD will then work to collect scores and identify successful applications, with recommendations made to the Statewide Victims’ Services Advisory Committee for consideration and approval. Pending full approval by VSAC, projects will have a start date of funding for successful STOP applications of January 2022.

Pennsylvania does not require a match for STOP Projects because it was granted permission from the federal Office on Violence Against Women to use the State’s budgetary allocations to domestic violence and sexual assault services to meet the match requirement at the State level.

5. Whether STOP subgrant projects will be funded on a multiple or single-year basis. (See 28 C.F.R. 90.12(g)(8))

STOP Projects funded through the competitive application process described above will be awarded for a three-year period. PCCD also plans to reserve funds to support statewide technical assistance and training initiatives aligned with Pennsylvania’s STOP goals and objectives; depending on the specific scope of these projects, some may be funded on a multiple year basis, while others may be single-year awards.

6. Description of how the State will determine the amount of subgrants based on the population and geographic area to be served. (34 U.S.C. 10446(e)(2)(B) and (i)(2)(F); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(d)(2))

PCCD plans to reserve the majority of STOP funds for county-level projects. Per recommendations from the STOP Implementation Planning Committee, PCCD plans to maintain the current maximum award amount for competitive county STOP Projects at $125,000 per year over a three-year period ($375,000 total per county). The STOP Committee also recommended providing an option for multi-county/regional initiatives (i.e., a single application submitted by multiple counties) with the potential for a higher maximum award. Based on the per-county maximum amount, and assuming consistent

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levels of STOP funding compared with prior years, PCCD anticipates being able to make up to 32 county STOP awards.

PCCD also plans to make approximately 7% of available STOP funds available to support statewide initiatives, as well as 5% reserved for AOPC for statewide activities involving courts, including judges and court staff.

7. Description of how the State will give priority to areas of varying geographic size with the greatest showing of need based on the availability of existing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking programs. (34 U.S.C. 10446(e)(2)(A) and (i)(2)(F); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(d)(1))

PCCD will ensure STOP funds are distributed equitably by prioritizing areas of varying geographic size demonstrating the greatest level of need based on the availability of existing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking programs, in addition to crime data and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other relevant sources.

8. Description of how the State will equitably distribute monies on a geographic basis including nonurban and rural areas of various geographic sizes. (34 U.S.C. 10446 (e)(2)(C) and (i)(2)(F); 28 C.F.R. 90.12(d)(3))

As described previously, PCCD will ensure STOP funds are distributed equitably by prioritizing areas of varying geographic size demonstrating the greatest level of need based on the availability of existing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking programs, in addition to crime data and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other relevant sources.

9. Information on projects that the State plans to fund, if known. (28 C.F.R. § 90.12(g)(5))

a. Crystal Judson. (34 U.S.C. § 10441(b)(13))

i. If the State plans to address the “Crystal Judson” purpose area, include narrative on providing the required training.

ii. If the State does not plan to use the “Crystal Judson” purpose area, include a note to this effect.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not plan to address the “Crystal Judson” purpose area.

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VI. Conclusion

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania remains appreciative of the resources provided through the federal STOP Violence Against Women Program. For nearly three decades, STOP funds have helped Pennsylvania foster systemic collaboration at the state and local levels; develop policies and protocols institutionalizing a victim-centered response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in communities across the state; and provide a variety of training and professional development resources for law enforcement, prosecutors, court personnel, judges, and victim service providers statewide.

The FFY 2022-2025 Implementation Plan aims to enhance cross-system collaboration at the heart of the STOP Formula Grant Program’s mission to address and improve services for domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking victims across the Commonwealth. The primary focus of this Plan is to build on the strong foundation of Pennsylvania’s existing STOP projects and infrastructure, including collecting and disseminating best practices and resources for STOP Teams and other multidisciplinary groups working to address these issues in communities across the state. In addition, Pennsylvania’s FFY 2022-2025 STOP Implementation Plan seeks to provide space for new initiatives that address gaps and emerging needs, including those that surfaced in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

This Plan will serve as a tool for PCCD/OVS, VSAC, and other organizations working to serve victims in Pennsylvania using federal OVW grant funds. Ultimately, this Plan seeks to continue to promote systemwide improvements focused on ensuring responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking are victim-centered and culturally responsive.

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1 QuickFacts – Pennsylvania, U.S. Census Bureau, accessed January 14, 2021. 2 Rural Quick Facts, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, accessed January 14, 2021. 3 Jordan Wolman, “A Crisis of Connectivity: Internet Access in Rural PA,” Pulitzer Center, December 17, 2020. 4 S. D. Meinrath et al, Broadband Availability and Access in Rural Pennsylvania, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, June 2019. 5 QuickFacts – Pennsylvania, U.S. Census Bureau, accessed January 14, 2021. 6 Data Source: Distribution of Resident Populationresident population of Pennsylvania in 2019, by age group, Statista, accessed January 28, 2021. 7 QuickFacts – Pennsylvania, U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/14/2021; “Nation’s Population Growth Slowed This Decade,” U.S. Census Bureau, America Counts, April 6, 2020. 8 State Immigration Data Profiles – Pennsylvania, Migration Policy Institute, accessed January 24, 2021. 9 Fact Sheet: Immigrants in Pennsylvania, American Immigration Council, August 6, 2020. 10 Fact Sheet: Immigrants in Pennsylvania, American Immigration Council, August 6, 2020. 11 Fact Sheet: Immigrants in Pennsylvania, American Immigration Council, August 6, 2020. 12 Data Source: Languages in Pennsylvania, Statistical Analysis, accessed January 23, 2021. 13 State Plan on Aging 2020-2024, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, October 2020. 14 Understanding Abuse in Later Life, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 15 State Plan on Aging 2020-2024, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, October 2020. 16 LGBT Proportion of Population: Pennsylvania, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, accessed January 24, 2021. 17 Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2020, Human Rights Campaign, 2020. 18 Executive Order: 2018-06 – Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 19 COVID-19 Data for Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Health, accessed January 23, 2021. 20 Data reflects the total number of initial claims reported between March 21, 2020 and March 20, 2021. Data Source:COVID-19 Statistics, Office of Unemployment Compensation, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, accessed April 28, 2021. 21 Data Source: Economy at a Glance – Pennsylvania, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed January 23, 2021. 22 John McCormick, “Coronavirus Deaths, Job Losses Hit Pennsylvania Hardest of 2020 Battlegrounds,” The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2020. 23 Megan L. Evans, Margo Lindauer, and Maureen E. Farrell, “A Pandemic within a Pandemic – Intimate Partner Violence during COVID-19,” The New England Journal of Medicine, December 10, 2020. 24 Pandemic, Social Unrest, and Crime in U.S. Cities: 2020 Year-End Update, National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, January 2021; Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Council on Criminal Justice, February 2021. 25 Jamie Ducharme, “Even in Wealthy Areas of the U.S., People of Color Are More Likely to Get and Die from Coronavirus, Study Says,” TIME, July 28, 2020. 26 Clark, Eva et al. “Disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in the United States.” PLoS neglected tropical diseases vol. 14,7 e0008484. 13 Jul. 2020, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008484. 27 Roni Caryn Rabin, “Developmental Disabilities Heighten Risk of Covid Death,” The New York Times, November 10, 2020. 28 Tracking the COVID-19 Recession’s Effects on Food, Housing, and Employment Hardships, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, January 21, 2021. 29 Graphic from “Pennsylvania Coronavirus Map and Case Count,” The New York Times, April 28, 2021. 30 Data Source: Economy at a Glance – Pennsylvania, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed January 23, 2021. 31 Elizabeth Hardison, “2020 in Review: Protests that Swept Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, December 27, 2020. 32 “Gov. Wolf Signs First Two Law Enforcement Reform Bills,” Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, July 14, 2020. 33 2019 Federal Human Trafficking Report, The Human Trafficking Institute, 2020.

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https://www.statista.com/statistics/912116/pennsylvania-population-share-age-group/


https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/04/nations-population-growth-slowed-this-decade.html

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https://statisticalatlas.com/state/Pennsylvania/Languages#data-map/county

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https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT&area=42#density

https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-trans-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2020

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/executive-order-2018-06-pennsylvania-commission-on-lgbtq-affairs/

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https://time.com/5872676/covid-19-racial-disparity/

https://time.com/5872676/covid-19-racial-disparity/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7357736/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7357736/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/health/covid-developmental-disabilities.html

https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/tracking-the-covid-19-recessions-effects-on-food-housing-and

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/pennsylvania-coronavirus-cases.html#county

https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.pa.htm

https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/2020-in-review-protests-that-swept-pennsylvania/

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-signs-first-two-law-enforcement-reform-bills/

https://www.traffickinginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2019-Federal-Human-Trafficking-Report_Low-Res.pdf

34 John L. Micek, “Report: Pa. Ranks 4th Nationwide in Human Trafficking Prosecutions,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, September 22, 2020. 35 Shea M. Rhodes, Act 105: Pennsylvania’s First Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Legislation, The Institute to Address Criminal Sexual Exploitation, Villanova University School of Law, 2016. 36 Note: PCAR and PCADV have developed tools and resources, including webinars and guides, focused on these issues. See Title IX (PCAR) and Prioritizing On-Campus Prevention (PCADV) for more information. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has awarded nearly $4 million in state funding to more than 80 postsecondary institutions to combat campus sexual assault through the Governor’s It’s On Us PA Grant Program since 2016. 37 Committee members also noted that while PCCD funding has helped increase availability of problem-solving courts, they are not in place within every county in Pennsylvania. For more information, please see Problem-Solving Courts, The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, and Problem-Solving Courts, PCCD. 38 Francis Scarcella, “New Home Available for Visitations, Custody Exchanges,” The Daily Item, March 7, 2020. 39 Certified municipal police officers in Pennsylvania are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education (in-service training) each year. See In-Service Police Officer Training, Municipal Police Officers’ Education & Training Commission (MPOETC), Pennsylvania State Police. 40 Preventing Sexual Violence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Violence Prevention, accessed January 28, 2021. 41 About Sexual Violence, PCAR, accessed January 28, 2021. 42 Bonnie S. Fisher et al., “Reporting Sexual Assault and the Clery Act: Situating Findings from the National Campus Sexual Assault Policy Study Within College Women’s Experiences,” in Campus Crime, 3rd Edition, ed. Bonnie S. Fisher and John J. Sloan, III (Springfield: Thomas Books, 2013). 43 K. Rich, “Trauma-Informed Police Responses to Rape Victims,” Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2019, vol. 28, no. 4, 463-480; H. Zinzow and M. Thompson, “Barriers to Reporting Sexual Victimization: Prevalence and Correlates among Undergraduate Women,” Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2011, vol. 20, no. 5, 524-530. 44 The Most Important Features for an Effective Sexual Assault Response Team, National Institute of Justice, July 11, 2017. 45 M.R. Greeson and R. Campbell, “Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs): An Empirical Review of Their Effectiveness and Challenges to Successful Implementation,” Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 2012, Vol. 14, no. 2, 83-95. 46 Fatality Reports, PCADV, accessed January 20, 2021. 47 Fatality Reports, PCADV, accessed January 20, 2021. 48 Special Council on Gun Violence: Report of Findings, Recommendations & Action Steps, PCCD, March 2020. 49 Domestic Violence & Firearms: PA Act 79, PCADV, accessed January 21, 2021. 50 The Lethality Assessment Program: Five Years Later, PCADV, 2018. 51 Lethality Assessment Program, PCADV, accessed January 20, 2021. 52 The Lethality Assessment Program: Five Years Later, PCADV, 2018. 53 See “Cultural Responsiveness Core Standard” in PCCD’s Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards, adopted in December 2020.

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https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-new-report-offers-a-vivid-look-at-the-state-of-human-trafficking-in-pa-tuesday-morning-coffee/

https://cseinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Act-105-Law-on-the-Books.pdf

https://pcar.org/titleix

https://www.pcadv.org/about-abuse/prevention/colleges-universities/

https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/Pages/Governor-Wolf's-It's-On-Us-PA-Grant-Program.aspx#:~:text=Since%202016%2C%20the%20Wolf%20Administration,four%2Dyear%20colleges%20and%20universities.

http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/problem-solving-courts

http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/problem-solving-courts

https://www.pccd.pa.gov/criminaljustice/advisory_boards/Pages/PCCD-Problem-Solving-Courts-and-Intermediate-Punishment.aspx

https://www.dailyitem.com/news/new-home-available-for-visitations-custody-exchanges/article_3622b852-604b-11ea-a884-2fa777129b52.html

https://mpoetc.psp.pa.gov/training/Pages/In-Service-Police-Officer-Training.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/fastfact.html

https://pcar.org/about-sexual-violence

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https://www.pcadv.org/resources/fatalities/

https://www.pccd.pa.gov/criminaljustice/GunViolence/Documents/Special%20Council%20on%20Gun%20Violence%20Report%20of%20Findings%20Recommendations%20%20Action%20Steps%20-%20March%202020.pdf

https://www.pcadv.org/policy-center/pennsylvania-laws/domestic-violence-firearms-pa-act-79/#:~:text=Act%2079%20went%20into%20effect,help%20prevent%20domestic%20violence%20homicides.

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Appendix A

Appendix B

2020 STOP Focus Group Discussions: Key Themes & Emerging Priorities Prepared for the STOP Planning Implementation Committee

October 28, 2020 Background As part of the agency’s efforts to develop Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Plan, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has worked with partners to engage stakeholders and gather feedback. In addition to the development and launch of a STOP Statewide Stakeholder Survey, PCCD also hosted focus groups in September and early October with civil legal service providers, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement, and victim advocates to gather insights from individuals working in the field. Along with analysis of data from the statewide stakeholder survey, this preliminary summary of key themes emerging from focus group discussions held to date is designed to help inform the planning process led by STOP Planning Implementation Committee members. Cross-Cutting Themes & Priorities In nearly every Focus Group’s discussions, the following themes and priorities emerged:

1. Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Service for Underserved Populations: Focus group

participants identified the following underserved populations of violence against women (VAW) crime victims in Pennsylvania: Older adults (aged 65 and above); immigrants, refugees, and undocumented individuals; people living in rural areas; and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. 2. Need for Widespread Training Across Systems to Improve Response: All groups identified the

need to educate those working in the law enforcement, prosecution, and courts on the complex dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking as well as the impact of trauma on victim behavior. As an example, participants in the Victim Services Focus Group highlighted the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviewing (FETI) training as a promising practice (additional resources needed to support expansion since certification is costly). Focus group participants (other than Victim Services) also expressed frustration with victims who recant or refuse to cooperate in using the justice system to hold their offender accountable. Victim advocates noted the flip side of the process in which victims are disappointed when their abuse appears to be minimized by authorities. 3. Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders: Two recurrent themes among all response groups were 1) lack of 24-hour availability of emergency PFAs; and 2) concern over inconsistent approval of requests for PFAs as well as reporting and enforcement of PFA violations. Some participants also reported a significant increase in PFAs during the coronavirus pandemic, further straining systems that were already stretched thin pre-COVID. 4. Weapons Relinquishment: Focus group participants identified significant concerns with the confiscation of weapons, firearms, and ammunition required under Act 79 of 2018. Participants, especially law enforcement, reported that storage space is limited, and that ammunition can pose a safety hazard. Additionally, focus group members reported varying levels of follow-up by law enforcement and the courts when an offender fails to relinquish all weapons/firearms. Participants offered a number of examples; one that came up across focus groups identified situations in which victims informed authorities about the existence of weapons and were told that if they could not


describe the weapon and provide its specific location, there was nothing that could be done to confiscate the weapon. As one individual put it, “A search warrant doesn’t come with the relinquishment order.” 5. Benefit of Cross-Training and Collaboration: Participants across all focus groups placed a high value on collaboration among systems, noting that simple strategies such as cross-training to understand partner agencies’ missions and spheres of influence contributed to relationship building and more effective problem-solving to address VAW issues in their communities. 6. Safety: Consistent themes emerged across the focus groups regarding safety of both victims and service providers. The volatility and unpredictability of victim/offender encounters at court and custody exchanges surfaced repeatedly. All groups noted the acute safety challenges faced by rural victims stemming from a lack of reliable cellular phone service, long response times for law enforcement, and limited transportation options. A third safety issue expressed in all groups was the fear of deportation and family separation on the part of victims who are immigrants, refugees, and/or undocumented. This fear affects their willingness to both report VAW crimes and cooperate with authorities. Many participants also noted the safety challenges arising from more digital/online communications (staff/client communications, virtual hearings with both victims and offenders, Offenders having security cameras on their property, etc.). 7. Inadmissibility of Hearsay in Court Hearings: A recent ruling in Pennsylvania (Commonwealth vs. McClelland) found that hearsay alone is insufficient to establish a prima facie case at a preliminary hearing. Because of this ruling, police officers must attend all preliminary hearings. This poses a challenge to police operations and budgets and often is a barrier for victims. 8. Accessing Courts and Other Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus groups revealed a general lack of consistency/uniformity in the use of technology to provide access to courts and other services during the COVID-19 crisis. There was a general sense of support for the use of secure

technology to improve victims’ access to safety and justice through the courts. Prominent Themes by Focus Group In addition to the cross-cutting themes highlighted above, each focus group expressed some unique concerns, as outlined below. 1 Civil Legal Attorneys

Economic Barriers to Safety and Justice: Victims of VAW crimes often face financial barriers as they move through the civil and criminal justice systems. First, there is a shortage of affordable attorneys, especially in rural parts of the state. Second, victims often lack the financial resources they need to file motions but may not meet income qualifications for waivers. Participants shared that sometimes their clients prioritize other needs (like financial issues) over addressing concerns like physical safety. All noted that policies need to account for the diversity of economic issues that victims face (e.g., setting up a safe custody exchange but a victim cannot afford the transportation costs to get to the appointment). As a potential solution, the group suggested establishing a statewide fund that could help cover out of pocket costs that prevent victims from making progress on their safety needs.

Navigating the Complexity of Immigration Processes: Provision of civil legal assistance to immigrant/refugee/undocumented victims is highly specialized. Depending on their status, victims may qualify for different programs and benefits. Moreover, victims’ prior negative experiences with authorities often creates significant reluctance to interact with service providers. Members

recommended partnering with community organizations that work with these populations to help improve relationships and build trust.

Prioritization of Civil Cases: The demand for civil legal services is immense, and programs constantly must evaluate how they prioritize who gets served. A need exists for providers to be able to give concrete answers to individuals who are not eligible for civil legal assistance, not just “sorry, we can’t help you.”

Courts

PFA Orders: As with other focus groups, Court Focus Group members recognized that the process for obtaining protection orders is not uniform across the state and creates gaps that affect victims. Participants identified 24-hour availability of emergency PFAs and the need for this process to be automated. Additional discussion focused on possible legislative fixes to enable magisterial district judges to issue temporary PFAs.

Victim Services

Engaging Law Enforcement – Victim advocates unanimously agreed that building relationships with local law enforcement is essential. These relationships make it more likely that law enforcement will refer victims, and also increases likelihood of law enforcement officers participating in training on VAW issues. Participants noted that relationship-building can be difficult, because of the large number and variations among municipal police departments as well as reliance on the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in rural jurisdictions. Municipal police departments can be very small; the PSP is a government agency with its own regulations and policies.

Anger Management vs. Batterer Treatment – In communities across the state, there are limited treatment options for offenders. Two recurring issues shared by Victim Services Focus Group members include: 1) the erroneous belief that anger management is the same as batterer treatment; and 2) the lack of sanctions by the court should an offender not comply.

Sexual Assault Response Teams – Members pointed to a lack of trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) in Pennsylvania as a big challenge. Some hospitals in the service areas of focus group participants do not see the value of having an advocate respond to the emergency room. One of the participants noted that a local hospital in their area realized the value of the victim advocate after the advocates could not respond due to COVID.

Human/Sex Trafficking – Focus group participants acknowledged trafficking is a complex issue that presents in different ways. One advocate noted their program has probably been seeing trafficking victims for years but did not recognize the indicators until more recently. This led to a discussion of the need for education of responders and the general public about sex trafficking, especially recognizing it when it is happening in the context of family relationships. One participant noted that many human trafficking victims are referred from drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

Community Outreach and Awareness – Focus group participants reported chronic challenges getting to the general public to educate them on VAW issues, connecting victims to services and more broadly, changing societal attitudes.

Remote Service Provision: In this focus group, participants had a generally positive view of using technology to provide services remotely. One of the positive aspects cited was that victims can still participate in support groups, even if they move away from the area. A negative aspect was the difficulty building collaborative relationships in the community using only virtual platforms.

Law Enforcement

Technology: Members of the focus group remarked that technology enables abusers to stalk with impunity. Technology constantly changes, and law enforcement often does not have the tools to download data from electronic devices. One participant noted that PSP is overwhelmed with these types of requests from local police departments. Two members of the focus group noted that they have access to a program called Celebrite, which is an investigative tool for electronic devices; both characterized the tool as “invaluable” and recommended considering strategies to increase access for additional counties.

Human Trafficking: Focus group members from rural parts of Pennsylvania shared that it is still common to deny that human trafficking is happening in their communities. Very few cases are being referred, and unless the victim is willing to cooperate with the investigation, nothing will be done. Lack of education about the issue drives this dynamic.

Training: Law enforcement needs training on VAW issues. One focus group member indicated they could not remember having specific training on domestic violence and that most of what they knew was learned through on-the-job experience. Another member asked if it was possible to provide trainings to law enforcement that were more scenario-based, including a segment in which a victim could speak to the officers about their experience (as appropriate), to put the academic part of the training into “real life” perspective. Members also reported confusion about the definition of stalking. Younger officers think stalking is a crime that only involves strangers (i.e., “some creepy guy”) and sometimes don’t consider cases where the victim had a prior relationship with the stalker.

Weapons Relinquishment: Focus group members expressed confusion about the procedures law enforcement is supposed to follow when removing weapons under Act 79. Responsibility for removing weapons becomes an issue when the offender lives and works in two different jurisdictions. One focus group member whose response area borders another state indicated that law enforcement in the neighboring state often challenge weapons relinquishment orders issued from Pennsylvania. Storage of weapons and ammunition is a concern. Concern was also raised about PFA orders containing incorrect information about which law enforcement agency was ultimately responsible for weapons confiscation.

Prosecution

Vicarious Trauma: Focus group members noted more than once that they believe that the impact of vicarious trauma on their colleagues in the prosecutor’s office and law enforcement plays a central role in the way that they appear to interact with victims. One member observed that responders may be experiencing fatigue at seeing so many crimes, and their lack of appropriate response may be a defense mechanism against vicarious trauma. Unfortunately, this makes victims feel like law enforcement is not on their side.

Hearing Victim Perspective: Similar to their colleagues in the Law Enforcement Focus Group, the Prosecution Focus Group also noted that the way to get prosecutors to understand VAW crimes is to provide training that features the personal insight and experiences of victims who have had a case go through prosecution.

Bail: The Prosecution Focus Group noted the inconsistency of bail set at the MDJ level. As an example, one member noted they’ve seen one MDJ in their county set bail at $200 for a case involving strangulation while another MDJ in a different part of the county set bail at $200K for a very similar case.

Use of Expert Witnesses: The lack of understanding about VAW crimes on the part of jurors requires the use of expert witnesses. Expert witnesses can be expensive, and counties can only use them on a few cases. Prosecution Focus Group members indicated it would benefit victims if there was increased funding to allow expert witnesses to be used in more cases.

Appendix C

The Pennsylvania STOP Implementation Planning Committee included the following members:

Marlene Austin, Executive Director, Passages, Inc. Doug Baker, Mayor, City of Franklin, Venango County (retired law enforcement) Lorraine Bitner, Chief Legal Officer, Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater

Pittsburgh Aileen Bowers, Court Administration, Beaver County Erica Brosig, Clinical Director, Victim Services, Inc.; Coordinator, Cambria County

Sexual Assault Response Team Deborah Calhoun, Scientific Services Director, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Arielle Curry, Anti-Trafficking Program Coordinator, Salvation Army Eastern

Pennsylvania and Delaware Karen Galbraith, Training Projects Coordinator, PCAR Denise Getgen, Director, Protective Services Office, Pennsylvania Department of

Aging Jamie Grobes, Legal Advocate, Transitions Rhonda Hendrickson, Vice President of Programs, The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Susan Higginbotham, Executive Director, PCADV Eileen Horgan, Supervising Criminal Advocacy Attorney, Women Against Abuse

Legal Center Judge Edward C. Howe, Magisterial District Judge, Beaver County Amy Kehner, Judicial Programs Administrator, AOPC Heather LaRocca, New Day, Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Dr. Sheridan Miyamoto, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator, SAFE-T

Center, Pennsylvania State University Brenda Nogales, Senior Manager of the Immigrant Survivor Services Program,

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) Sgt. Rodger Ollis, City of Coatesville Police Department Mark Peffer, Chief Deputy Sheriff, Butler County Jamie Pizzi, Esq., Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Villanova

University Mae Reale, Blackburn Center, Westmoreland County Leslie Ridge, Deputy District Attorney, Washington County Greg Rowe, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association Deborah Shoemaker, Lobbyist and Ethics Specialist, Pennsylvania Psychiatric

Society Lisa Siciliano, Family Court Administrator, Berks County Jennifer Storm, Acting Victim Advocate, OVA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jennifer Thompson, Chief Program Officer, PCADV Sara Ullmer, Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley Lindsey Vaughan, Executive Director, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association

Appendix D

Recommendations for Pennsylvania’s STOP Implementation Plan Adopted by STOP Implementation Planning Committee

January 20, 2021

Background

Between September 2020 and January 2021, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

(PCCD) has facilitated six meetings with members of the STOP Implementation Planning Committee to

identify priorities and recommendations for the Commonwealth’s 2021-24 STOP Implementation Plan.

The Committee’s deliberations were informed by stakeholder feedback, gathered from STOP Statewide

Stakeholder Surveys as well as focus groups with civil legal service providers, prosecutors, court

personnel, law enforcement, and victim advocates.

Guiding Principles and Approaches

In addition to the goals, objectives, and strategies identified below, STOP Committee members urged

PCCD to utilize several guiding principles and approaches across STOP-funded initiatives:

1. Reinforce expectations of cultural appropriateness among all service providers and facilitate the

development and/or enhancement of meaningful collaborations between providers and community-

based organizations to provide effective supports to underserved populations.

2. Prioritize STOP funding for trainings and professional development programs that can be

recorded and made available for use statewide.

3. Employ consistent performance measures and data collection practices across STOP project sites to

improve ability to evaluate outcomes (including training and professional development programs).

4. Document programs and interventions developed for various systems and sectors, including

from existing PCCD-funded initiatives, to help identify and share best practices statewide.

5. Develop and disseminate resources focused on STOP Team basics using a clearinghouse

approach and provide opportunities for state and local partners to regularly connect to share ideas

and promising practices.

6. Develop new and/or disseminate existing guidance, tools, and other resources to aid in the

development and implementation of language access protocols for subgrantees and partners (e.g.,

interpreters, language access services, initial/ongoing training, policy development, etc.).

7. Ensure availability of comprehensive training and professional development programs for law

enforcement, courts, prosecutors, and other systems that go beyond basic or “101” levels.

8. Prioritize trauma- and healing-informed practices within STOP funding, with a particular

emphasis on increasing adoption of these approaches in systems and settings beyond victim

services (e.g., law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, healthcare, etc.).

STOP Goals and Objectives

As with prior STOP-funded efforts, Pennsylvania’s proposed approach for FFY 2021-2024 relies on

systemic collaboration at both the state and local levels. While the bulk of implementation activities will

take place at county and community levels through the work of multidisciplinary STOP Teams, the STOP

Implementation Planning Committee identified several areas in which statewide efforts were needed.

To distinguish between these approaches, each proposed objective below is categorized by the level at

which funding would be directed and implementation would occur (i.e., Statewide vs. County-Level).

GOAL 1: Continue to support effective coordinated response among law enforcement, prosecution,

victim services, and courts to violence against women crimes through provision of high-quality,

comprehensive training and technical assistance.

STATEWIDE Objective 1.1: Continue to support statewide training and technical

assistanceefforts that leverage the expertise of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic

Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association,

Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and other subject matter experts for Victim

Services, Prosecution, Law Enforcement and Courts.

STATEWIDE Objective 1.2: Support continued statewide training on protection orders, with a

focus on increasing awareness and understanding of different types of orders, eligibility criteria,

and other key issues.

STATEWIDE Objective 1.3: Increase adoption of effective identification of (e.g., screening protocols) and multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking across Pennsylvania.

STATEWIDE Objective 1.4: Deliver training on issues related to the intersections of technology and

violence against women crimes (e.g., technology abuse, cyberstalking), including investigative

techniques for evidence-based prosecution, providing support for victims/survivors, utilization of

protection orders and other tools, as well as other best practices.

GOAL 2: Increase safety of victims/survivors as well as service providers.

STATEWIDE Objective 2.1: Using Court funding through STOP, the Administrative Office of

Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) will support the development and implementation of court-based

protocols and procedures for statewide use that minimize interactions between parties before

and after hearings.

STATEWIDE Objective 2.2: Improve documentation of and response to strangulation through

development of new trainings (such as professional education for first responders) and tools, as

well as dissemination of existing resources and best practices.

GOAL 3: Identify and meaningfully address barriers to service for culturally specific and underserved

populations in Pennsylvania.

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 3.1: Prioritize STOP funding for projects that meaningfully address service

provision to underserved populations (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, victims of human

trafficking, elder victims, LGBTQ+ victims, people with mental health and/or substance use disorders,

individuals with disabilities, etc.).

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 3.2: Provide training to increase awareness of immigrant

communities in Pennsylvania among first responders, enhance understanding of unique barriers

faced by this population (e.g., language access, fear of deportation, cultural barriers, etc.), and

identify strategies to effectively provide services and supports.

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 3.3: Prioritize STOP funding for counties that engage community-

based, culturally specific organizations as funded partners, including cross-county/regional

projects focused on improving outreach to specific underserved populations, addressing

barriers to service, and building capacity.

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 3.4: Invest in practices that address victimization among vulnerable

populations, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with co-

occurring disorders, and/or older Pennsylvanians, with a particular focus on addressing sexual

violence within facilities serving these populations (e.g., nursing homes, personal care homes,

residential facilities, group homes, etc.).

GOAL 4: Improve coordinated responses to sexual assault.

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 4.1: Increase the number of multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response

Teams (SARTs) across the Commonwealth by providing funding for counties to start or enhance

programs through training, support personnel (e.g., SART Coordinators), and/or improve

coordination with existing multidisciplinary teams.

STATEWIDE Objective 4.2: Develop and deliver cross-training programs on successful sexual assault

prosecutions, with a focus on the benefits of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and medical

evidence to the prosecutorial process.

COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 4.3: Increase the number of hospital-based personnel trained on

effectively addressing sexual assault victims/survivors, including utilization of trauma-informed

approaches.

GOAL 5: Reduce domestic violence-related homicides in Pennsylvania.

STATEWIDE COUNTY-LEVEL Objective 5.1: Continue to partner with the Pennsylvania Coalition

Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) to support implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program

(LAP) in municipalities/counties across the Commonwealth using STOP funds.

Related Strategies:

COUNTY-LEVEL Support expansion of LAP in new municipalities/counties across the

Commonwealth using STOP funds.

STATEWIDE Work the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to develop LAP protocols for primary

coverage areas.

STATEWIDE Provide LAP refresher trainings as well as continued technical assistance for

municipal police departments and domestic violence programs in counties that have

already implemented LAP using STOP funds.

STATEWIDE COUNTY-LEVEL Support the development and deployment of tools (e.g., LAP

Mobile App) that improve implementation.

STATEWIDE COUNTY-LEVEL To increase language access as part of the LAP process and on-

scene interviews, provide interpretation and other services/resources (e.g., create different

versions of printed forms and documents, update LAP Mobile App to be bi-lingual or

multilingual capable, etc.).

STATEWIDE Objective 5.2: To improve consistency of implementation statewide, provide training

and continued education on key provisions of Act 79 of 2018, including protection orders and

weapons relinquishment requirements.

Other Priorities Identified by Pennsylvania’s STOP Committee

The STOP Committee also identified several priorities that, while not appropriate for STOP Formula funds, should be addressed through other actions at the state level:

1. Improve awareness and understanding of recent federal regulatory changes (Title IX) as well as best/promising practices for meeting the needs of students – especially younger students in K-12 schools – who have experienced sexual assault through training and professional education for administrators, educators, law enforcement, and other personnel.1

2. Support legislation and/or funding to reinstate Domestic Violence Fatality/Near Fatality Reviews statewide, including providing protections for Review participants (such as those provided through the Public Health Child Death Review Act) as well as covering costs associated with training, coordination, and other activities.

3. Increase available supports for victims with mental health concerns, substance use disorders, behavioral health needs, and other co-occurring conditions, including peer support models, referrals to specific care and services (e.g., counseling, treatment, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care), and enhanced coordination with problem solving courts (e.g., mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts, etc.).

4. Increase dedicated resources to promote safe custody exchanges and ensure meaningful access to those services and supports.

5. Leverage available federal and state funds to expand victim notification capabilities for kit tracking by supporting statewide use of automated tracking systems that allow sexual assault victims/survivors to log in online and see where their kit is in process.

6. Advocate for inclusion of topics related to victimization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders within Act 180 police training.

1 Note: The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and Pennsylvania Coalitions Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) have developed tools and resources (including webinars and guides) focused on these issues. See Title IX (PCAR) and Prioritizing On-Campus Prevention (PCADV) for more information. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has awarded nearly $4 million in state funding to more than 80 postsecondary institutions to combat campus sexual assault through the It’s On Us PA Grant Program since 2016.





https://www.pcadv.org/about-abuse/prevention/colleges-universities/

https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/Pages/Governor-Wolf's-It's-On-Us-PA-Grant-Program.aspx#:~:text=It's%20On%20Us%20PA%20is,role%20in%20ending%20sexual%20assault.

Appendix E

Documentation from each member of the STOP Implementation Planning Team outlining their participation in the planning process.

*Please note the following member’s participation forms are missing.

Jennifer Storm, Acting Victim Advocate, OVA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Denise Getgen, Director, Protective Services Office, Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Judge Edward C. Howe, Magisterial District Judge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania

STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program Implementation Planning Participation

Please send back to ________________ at ___________________ by _______________.

State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________

Administering Agency: __________________________________________________________

Participant Agency: _____________________________________________________________

Type of Agency:

If population specific organization, please specify which population: __________________________

Other: ___________________________________________

Planning Team Meeting Date(s): ______________________________________________________

Did you receive notification of meeting dates at least one month in advance? Yes No

How were you notified? (check all that apply)

Website post Letter Other:_________

Yes No

Email In-person Phone call

Were you able to participate in the meetings?

If yes, how many meetings did you attend? All Some

Meeting format: (check all that apply) Teleconference Video conference In-person

If no, please explain: ___________________________________________________________________

During the meeting(s), were you able to freely provide input, Yes No Partially ask questions, share concerns, and propose goals?

Did you receive a draft of the Implementation Plan and a list Yes No of major concerns raised during the planning process?


Were you given at least one month to review the draft plan? Yes No


Tanya Bower [email protected] April 21, 2021

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Were the major concerns raised during the planning process Yes No included in the draft plan?


Did you provide comments or recommended changes to the draft plan? Yes No

Did you receive a copy of the Final Implementation Plan? Yes No


If applicable, do you believe your recommended changes to the draft plan were adequately addressed in the Final Implementation Plan? Yes No Not applicable


Overall, were the feedback, concerns, recommended goals, etc. of planning Yes No group participants adequately reflected in the Final Implementation Plan?


Do you have any concerns with the content of the Final Implementation Plan? Yes No

If yes, please explain: __________________________________________________________________

Name ______________________________ Signature ___________________________ Date_______________________________



State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No












Pennsylvania


STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program

Implementation Planning Participation


State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No






During the meeting(s), were you able to freely provide input, Yes No Partially

ask questions, share concerns, and propose goals?

Did you receive a draft of the Implementation Plan and a list Yes No

of major concerns raised during the planning process?





Pennsylvania


Nationalities Service Center

Other

Immigrant Survivors

Non-profit organization

9/23/20,10/28/20,11/18/20,12/10/20,01/16/2021 and 01/20/21

✔

✔

Were the major concerns raised during the planning process Yes No

included in the draft plan?





If applicable, do you believe your recommended changes to the draft plan were adequately

addressed in the Final Implementation Plan? Yes No Not applicable


Overall, were the feedback, concerns, recommended goals, etc. of planning Yes No

group participants adequately reflected in the Final Implementation Plan?




Name ______________________________

Signature ___________________________

Date_______________________________

Brenda Nogales

4/27/2021



State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No












Pennsylvania




State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No






During the meeting(s), were you able to freely provide input, Yes No Partiallyask questions, share concerns, and propose goals?





Were the major concerns raised during the planning process Yes Noincluded in the draft plan?











Name ______________________________Signature ___________________________ Date_______________________________



State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No

��Email In-person Phone call










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State/Territory: _______________________________________________________________



Type of Agency:


Other: ___________________________________________





Yes No












Pennsylvania


Appendix F

Required letters of support from court, law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services programs.

May 10, 2021

Nadine M. Neufville, Acting Director Office on Violence Against Women 145 N Street NE Suite 10W.121 Washington, DC 20530 Dear Ms. Neufville: I write to provide a letter of support for Pennsylvania’s newly developed STOP Implementation Plan for 2021-2024. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency hosted thorough implementation team meetings between September 2020 and January 2021, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) was involved in the planning process through participation by Jenifer Thompson, Chief Program Services Officer, and me. In addition, the Commonwealth and the entities that work to provide intervention and support to survivors are in great need of the STOP funds in order to address the need for training and professional development for staff, to disseminate resources and information on best practices, and to facilitate collaborations for STOP teams and coordination across various systems involved in addressing the needs of survivors. With respect to the goals and intended use of the funds, PCADV wholehearted supports the efforts to 1) continue to support effective coordinated response among law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and courts to violence against women crimes through provision of high-quality, comprehensive training and technical assistance, 2) increase safety of victims/survivors as well as service providers, 3) identify and meaningfully address barriers to service for culturally specific and underserved populations in Pennsylvania, 4) improve coordinated responses to sexual assault, and 5) reduce domestic violence-related homicides in Pennsylvania. Further, PCADV enthusiastically supports other priorities identified by the STOP implementation team, including to specifically address the needs of underserved populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, elder victims, LGBTQ+ victims, people with mental health and/or substance use disorders, individuals with disabilities. We also appreciate the priority to dedicate resources for safe custody exchanges, something that is a significant gap in Pennsylvania, as well as to support reinstatement of the Domestic Violence Fatality reviews statewide. By investing in these goals and priorities, our expectation is that services to survivors, including the most vulnerable, will be improved compared to status quo. Lastly, as the organization that produces an annual fatality report, we believe that by investing in reducing domestic violence-related homicides, fewer Pennsylvanians will lose their lives because of intimate partner violence.

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | LOCAL: 717.545.6400 / TOLL-FREE: 800.932.4632 | PCADV.org

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Sincerely,

Susan Higginbotham, MEd Chief Executive Officer COUNTY-LEVEL

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www.womenagainstabuse.org

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

100 South Broad Street, Suite 1341

Philadelphia, PA 19110

p. 215 386 1280 | f. 215 964 9121

LEGAL CENTER

100 South Broad Street, Suite 501

Philadelphia, PA 19110

p. 215 686 7082 | f. 215 686 7041

PHILADELPHIA

DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE HOTLINE

1 866 723 3014

Nadine M. Neufville

Acting Director

Office on Violence Against Women

145 N Street NE Suite 10W.121

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Ms. Neufville:

On behalf of Women Against Abuse (WAA), I write this letter to express my support for Pennsylvania’s

STOP Formula Grant Implementation Plan for FY 2022-2026. Staff from WAA participated on the statewide

implementation planning committee and were able to raise issues and offer input for consideration in

development of the goals and objectives in the attached plan.

Women Against Abuse coordinates a STOP Formula Grant for the City of Philadelphia. The STOP funding

through Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) supports a collaborative team that

includes the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department and victim service

providers from across the city. The Team works to dismantle systemic barriers to services and to improve

capacity of Philadelphia's organizations to respond both to domestic and sexual violence. This past year, the

COVID crisis spawned multiple disruptions to victim services across the city. Our Team stepped in to

engineer a collective City-wide response to safeguard against heightened domestic violence and sexual

violence risks to Philadelphia citizens through advocating for the use of technology for court appearances

and coordinating service of protection orders across the city.

STOP’s collaborative structure builds bridges among the systems and victim service providers throughout

Philadelphia. These bridges have granted the committee access to several underserved communities

throughout Philadelphia, which has been critical in our work to protect victims against the increased safety

risks posed by COVID-19 stay at home orders. We continue to draft and adapt polices to better serve victims,

provide critical training to city police and have translated information about domestic violence and victim

rights into the languages of several culturally and linguistically underserved communities.

We will continue our cross-system collaboration through STOP funding as we undertake initiatives in

keeping with the goals and objectives of Pennsylvania’s new plan. These include ongoing training for law

enforcement on topics identified by the planning committee, continued efforts to outreach and serve

culturally and linguistically underserved victims, and implementing policies and programs that keep victims

safe while holding offenders accountable.

http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/

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STOP funding has improved Philadelphia’s systemic response to domestic violence and sexual assault. The

funding has and continues to make a difference for survivors. Women Against Abuse appreciates this funding

and strongly supports OVW’s continued allocation of STOP funding to Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Molly Callahan

Legal Center Director

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania STOP Violence Against Women ...

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